Djirra is calling on governments to invest in its life saving and life changing services, following yesterday’s annual report from the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission which found that family violence against Aboriginal women and children is increasing.
In its third report tabled in federal parliament, the Commission found that both the intimate partner homicide rate for Aboriginal woman and the rate of hospitalisations have increased – moving backwards from the Closing the Gap target.
This is a devastating outcome for Aboriginal women.
The Commission also found that family law and justice systems continue to be a site of ongoing weaponisation and harm, compounding trauma and prolonging recovery for victim-survivors.
Djirra’s position is clear. If its self-determined solutions are not invested in, Aboriginal women will continue to experience family violence at disproportionately high rates, exacerbated by structural racism stemming from colonisation.
Family violence remains the central issue driving the removal of Aboriginal children and the homelessness, criminalisation, and poor health outcomes (including suicide) of Aboriginal women.
The Commission has made eight recommendations in its annual report, including co-designing policies and services with people who experience the greatest barriers to safety, targeting new investment towards early intervention and building on law reforms to strengthen safety, accountability and recovery for individuals and families experiencing family and sexual violence.
To achieve the Commission’s recommendations, Djirra and other specialist Aboriginal community-controlled organisations must be invested in.
Quotes attributable to Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of Djirra:
“Aboriginal women experiencing violence are too often disbelieved, punished, separated from their children, pushed into homelessness or criminalised when they seek safety.”
“Djirra is self-determination in action. We call on governments to fund Djirra and other specialist Aboriginal community-controlled organisations through the Second Action Plan and the Our Ways First Action Plan so that we can provide our life saving and life changing wraparound services for Aboriginal women and children to be safe and together.”
“Djirra is calling for investment in its first dedicated Aboriginal Women’s Centre, equitable regional access to our full suite of services, and the establishment of early Child Protection Notification and Referral Systems in each state and territory so that Aboriginal women receive culturally safe legal and wraparound support from the moment Child Protection becomes involved.”
“When Aboriginal women are safe, children and families are safer. Investing in Aboriginal women today builds a stronger legacy for generations to come.”
“We have the knowledge. We have the solutions. Now invest in them and see the change.”
The image is ‘Seen and heard’ – Amani Haydar. The Yearly Report 2026 features an artwork from a member of the DFSV Commission’s Lived Experience Advisory Council – author, visual artist and advocate for women’s health and safety, Amani Haydar.
